KANLAON VOLCANO ERUPTS: The Giant of Negros

 

KANLAON VOLCANO ERUPTS: What You Need to Know About the Ongoing Unrest and Monitoring

Mount Kanlaon, the majestic and most active stratovolcano in the Visayas, has once again captured the nation's attention, reminding us of the powerful geological forces at play beneath the earth's surface. The recent explosive event on Monday, June 3, at 6:51 PM, which generated a towering 5-kilometer plume and triggered ashfall, marks a critical moment in the volcano's history and necessitates heightened vigilance from communities in the Negros Island Region.

“This blog post provides a comprehensive look at the eruption, the science behind the monitoring, and what residents and stakeholders need to know to stay safe and prepared.”

A Brief History of Mount Kanlaon: The Giant of Negros

Standing at an elevation of 2,465 meters, Mount Kanlaon straddles the provinces of Negros Occidental and Negros Oriental, dominating the landscape and enriching the soil that supports surrounding agricultural communities. Its historical record is one of frequent, typically phreatic (steam-driven) or mildly explosive, eruptions dating back to 1819.

Kanlaon’s activity is characterized by relatively short-lived events, often involving ash and steam, though it has also experienced more significant explosive eruptions. This consistent activity is a reminder that the volcano is part of the Pacific Ring of Fire, a major area of volcanic and seismic activity. Living on its fertile slopes means the communities, such as those in Canlaon City, La Castellana, and La Carlota City, have long adapted to the rhythm of the giant, but the recent escalation in unrest is a call to revisit and reinforce preparedness measures.

the crucial moment

The Crucial Moment: The June 3 Eruption and Its Precursors

The eruption on June 3, 2024, was a moderately explosive event that lasted approximately six minutes, based on seismic data recorded by the Kanlaon Volcano Network (KVN). The sight of the voluminous and incandescent plume rising five kilometers above the summit was a stark indicator of the energy released, with the collapse of material from the plume forming pyroclastic density currents (PDCs) that descended the southern slopes for two to three kilometers. Incandescent ballistic ejecta—hot rocks and fragments—also rained down near the summit.

What the Experts Are Saying: PHIVOLCS’ Assessment

The Department of Science and Technology-Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (DOST-PHIVOLCS) immediately raised the alert status from Alert Level 1 (Abnormal) to Alert Level 2 (Increasing Unrest) following the eruption.

According to PHIVOLCS, the event was not entirely without warning. It was notably preceded by a relatively strong volcano-tectonic (VT) earthquake just minutes before the explosive blast. VT earthquakes are a sign of rock-fracturing, often induced by thermal or pressure-related stresses within the volcanic edifice. This is part of a larger pattern of unrest:

• Pre-Eruption Monitoring Data: Prior to the June 3 event, the volcano had been showing signs of unrest, including a total of 19 ash emission events from September to October (as of the date of the bulletin) and volcanic earthquake swarms that peaked at 90 events on a single day in October 2025.
• Shallow Magmatic Processes: The upgrade to Alert Level 2 signifies that the current unrest is now "driven by shallow magmatic processes." This is a crucial distinction, suggesting that magma is ascending into the shallow levels of the volcano's plumbing system.

Kanlaon Volcano Eruption Bulletin: Key Data

Parameter	Data from June 3 Eruption (and surrounding activity)	Significance
Alert Level	2 (Increasing Unrest)	An eruption may eventually occur; continued unrest is likely.
Eruption Time & Type	6:51 PM, moderately explosive, lasted 6 minutes	Confirmed a significant pressure release at the summit.
Plume	Short dense incandescent plume, rising 5,000 meters (5 km)	The height and incandescence indicate high-pressure, hot material expulsion.
Hazards Observed	Ashfall, sulfurous odors, and short-run PDCs	Direct threats to communities, especially within the Permanent Danger Zone (PDZ).
Precursor Seismic Activity	Preceded by a relatively strong VT earthquake	Suggests fracturing and pressurization deep within the volcano's structure.

The Immediate and Lingering Hazards

While the sight of a massive ash plume is alarming, the primary dangers to communities stem from several hazards:

1. Pyroclastic Density Currents (PDCs): The short-run PDCs observed descending the southern slopes are fast-moving currents of hot gas and volcanic material. These are extremely lethal and define the most dangerous areas.
2. Ballistic Projectiles: Hot, rock fragments thrown into the air can fall near the crater area.
3. Ashfall: Coarse ashfall has been reported in barangays of La Castellana, La Carlota City, Canlaon City, and Bago City. Ashfall can cause respiratory problems, contaminate water sources, and damage crops and infrastructure.
4. Lahars: With the rainy season, volcanic ash deposited on the slopes can mix with water to form fast-moving mudflows called lahars. These can flow down river channels, threatening communities far from the summit.

Government Warning and Community Resilience

The Recommendation to Prepare and Evacuate

With Alert Level 2 in place, PHIVOLCS' key recommendation remains clear: Entry into the 4-kilometer radius Permanent Danger Zone (PDZ) is strictly prohibited.

Furthermore, local government units (LGUs) are strongly advised to prepare their communities within the PDC hazard zone for subsequent evacuation in case unrest re-escalates. This proactive stance is vital, as a sudden escalation to Alert Level 3 (Magmatic Unrest) or higher would require rapid, life-saving action.

The Challenge of Livelihood

A major challenge in managing volcanic crises is the reality that many residents living near the PDZ depend on the fertile volcanic soil for their daily needs, making immediate and prolonged evacuation a severe hardship. This interdependence between the people and the land requires a compassionate and strategic government response.

Authorities are working to ensure that assistance, including family food packs and temporary shelter, are prepositioned. The government’s role is to enforce safety while providing support, acknowledging the difficult choice faced by those whose livelihoods are tied to the volcano’s slopes. Staying away from the danger zone, for the time being, is a necessary sacrifice to ensure long-term safety.

Final Thought and Standby for Updates

The Kanlaon Volcano eruption of June 3, and the continued unrest indicated by the monitoring data, is a serious situation demanding collective attention. The science is clear: increasing unrest driven by shallow magmatic processes means the volcano has the potential for further, possibly stronger, explosive activity.

The best defense is information and adherence to official warnings.

Stay informed, stay safe, and always respect the Permanent Danger Zone.

Bookmark this blog post! I’ll be providing timely updates based on the official bulletins from DOST-PHIVOLCS. Go back to this page for your next update on Mount Kanlaon's activity.

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